Managing ATVs as Part of Your Work Site

Many different professions utilize ATVs in their day-to-day operations. If you are an employer and permit your crew to drive or ride ATVs, you could be setting yourself up for a lawsuit if one of them gets injured. If you have ATVs as part of your equipment, follow these tips to protect yourself from workers’ compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits.

1. Maintenance

ATVs must be maintained properly, just like any other piece of machinery. Consult the owner’s manuals of any machine in your fleet for the maintenance schedule. Be sure to keep up on routine maintenance and to repair any issues as soon as they arise.

2. Training

Any employee who is going to be riding or utilizing an ATV must be trained in its operation. Make manuals accessible to employees and give them hands-on training as well. Ensure that your employees are getting hands-on training over each type of surface they will be riding exposed to.

3. Policies

If ATVs are part of your daily operations, make sure that you establish clear policies on their use. Each employee should receive a copy of these policies and sign off that they have both read and received them.

4. Hazards

On-site hazards should be clearly marked. Any pits or holes in the surface, any exposed wiring, and any objects that could be crash hazards should be made known to employees and anyone else who will be driving an ATV on your work site.

5. Recalls

Recalls should be paid close attention to for the life of the machine. Know that recalls can happen at any time. Because a machine is not recalled as soon as you’ve purchased it doesn’t mean that there won’t be a recall later. Keep an eye on websites or sign up for alerts.

6. Supervise

You can’t be everywhere at once, but you can conduct spot inspections of your employees while they are operating the ATVs. Keep an eye on speeds and driving habits to ensure that best practices are being followed.

If you or an employee is injured in an ATV accident, call our team of personal injury attorneys today. We will review the details of your case and advise you as to the best next steps. Call us now and allow us to provide you with a free case evaluation.